31 A promise long forgotten (2/2)
”Seraphina. Are you awake?” Riyku inquired softly and the silence that came after would be his answer. ”Well, if you can hear me. I just wanted to say thank you. Everything you have done for me has helped me. Honestly, I do not know if I would have retained my composure after everything finished, if not for you. This power... is dangerous. I can see why you want me to steer clear from it, but... I need to know. Why I have this power. The answers Harvester and you gave me can not be all. There must be a definite reason for all of this. If... The reason.... is...” Riyku was steadily beginning to feel the fatigue take over. His eyes slowly dropping as she started to slip into slumber's embrace.
”Father! Father!” A cheery voice called to him which caused him to open his eyes. The vision provided went from stary night sky much like the one he had looked up at before to a small petite pale girl with silverish hair. Her crimson eyes staring up at him as she smiled brightly at him. ”Yes, Iris. What is it?” The man's voice, Riyku's voice seemed to perch through.
'Another dream?'
The girl would bring her hands from behind her hand to open her palms and show him a strange stone with a grayish aura and some kind of ancient character engraved upon it. ”Here for you!” She exclaimed and Riyku seemed to smile. Reaching a pale gray hand out to grasp the stone from the girl he would move his other hand to pat her head softly. ”Good Job, Iris. I am so proud of you.” Riyku would indulge her with affection that she seemed to thrive on. ”I will always be of assistance to you, Father. I am happy to help you.” The girl, Iris would express happily. ”That makes me happy to hear, Iris.” Riyku would reply. Iris would giggle softly, ”So... umm, I noticed that Skeith and Seraphina are not here. Did they already finish their task?” Iris inquired curiously and Riyku shook his head. ”No. They have yet to finish their respective tasks. This would make you the first as usual.” Riyku stated which made Iris happy. ”Well then, Father. If I may, why are you trying to collect all of these ancient stones?” Iris inquired which caused Riyku to sigh softly.
”Well, it is a long story. Care you take a seat?” Riyku would ask of her and she would nod, both of them moved to a nearby tree and sat against it. Their eyes seemed to glance up at the skies above them. ”Long ago, before I created you, before I knew of Skeith, before I knew of Seraphina, and before I created Nira. I was a small human boy. I grew up with two brothers and my mother. We grew up in this small village somewhere in the western region of the world far out from any of the wars or kingdoms of the lands. That does not mean we did not do business with those Kingdoms, but for the most part, we remained neutral to their stands. You see, back then the crops we grew were pure. The soil was fertile and every harvest was bountiful. So our plot of land was perfect. Though the leaders of these Kingdoms knew that waging war would ruin the soil and since we had no military might we were not seen as a threat. However, that did not mean we were weak either. I and my two brothers discovered we had abilities of our own called Mein. When the village Magi learned of this, he offered to train us. In all honesty, those were the best years of my life. Helping the village folk, playing with my brothers and training with the Magi.” Riyku would begin to tell a story and Iris would listen without a word, well that was until Riyku had not mentioned a father.
”What of your Father?” Iris inquired and Riyku shook his head. ”I do not know. Neither do my brothers. When we asked our mother, all she told us was that he had to return to where he came from. We did not understand that and even to this day, I do not know what those words mean. However, that did not stop our mother from loving us day in and day out. Her bright smile was something me and my brothers wished to preserve and cherish. It was truly a blissful time, but all great things come to an end.” Riyku's voice turned sorrowful. ”Our village was attacked by some kind of beast that would steal our woman for breeding and slaughter the men and children. I, my brothers and the Magi tried out best to save and defend the village; however, we were outnumbered and overrun. I was the first to witness the death of our mother, and my closest friends. At the time, I did not realize what was going on with me or even going through my mind, but I told my brothers to save as many as they could and run away while I hold off the beasts. They were reluctant at first, but decided it was the best course of action since I was the strongest one of them.” Riyku would explain softly.
”So what happened? Did you win?” Iris inquired and Riyku shook his head. ”No, I lost. I died that day and was reborn as a demon. I went through life there and eventually made it back to this world; however, my village was gone. My brothers and the Magi as well. Filled with anguish, I traveled the lands in search of a purpose. It was not till years later did I find out that I could travel back into time. As long as I could pin-point the coordinates of the time-line I would be able to return and save them. Save my brothers, my friends, and the Magi. I would be able to protect everyone, keep them safe and we could leave life as it should have been.” Riyku stated as he gripped the stone tightly in his hands.
”So you see, Iris. The reason I am collecting these elemental runic stones is so I can return to that time. So I can save everyone. Thanks to you I have the Rune of Time, but I need the Rune of Space and the Rune of Illusion. I already have the Runes of Wisdom, Valor, Nature, Bright and Blight. So just two more and I can realize my goal.” Riyku stated to which Iris would look up to her Father. ”But... you'll be gone, right? Will you come back?” Iris asked softly. This caused Riyku to give a pained expression. Since he had not realized what it meant to travel back that far in time. ”I will,” Riyku replied it was a hollow statement. ”Promise!?” Iris exclaimed. Riyku would swallow deeply before nodding softly. ”I promise.” He would state a more firm and expressive reply to her. Some part of him was determined to return to this timeline, or maybe even figure out a way to bring her with him. But, he knew the chances of both were nearly zero. Still, he would make that promise to her.
Overjoyed the girl would hug his arm tightly. ”Good! You promised, so don't you forget it!” Iris exclaimed happily and Riyku would chuckle softly and pat her head gently. ”I would never dream of it. Come on, let's go see if we can find those two slackers.” Riyku stated as he tried to get up and Iris would giggle getting up with him. ”Okay. Maybe they need a good lecture from you. They seem to hate it when you do that, but afterward, they try their best to avoid such a lecture.” Iris stated which caused Riyku to chuckle lightly. ”Perhaps you are right.” Riyku would reply to her.
”Hey! Who the hell are you calling a slacker!? Here!” A masculine and unruly voice shouted from the distance which drew Riyku's attention. The shine of an object heading his way caused him to reach out to grasp it. ”I completed my task as well, Darling. So save that lecture for another time.” A feminine voice, one well recognizable as Seraphina called next as she walked up to the male. ”The Runes of Space and Illusion,” Riyku stated when he examined the stone that the man had throw his way. ”Yup. So is that it? Are we done? These tasks lasted long the last ones. I would like a break.” The man stated or more so complained. ”A break? Geez... aren't you suppose to be some super war demon or something. You just seem more so lazy than not.” Seraphina called out to the man who shook his head. ”Our fearless leader here has no ambition. Therefore, I see no reason to start hazing buildings and pillaging villages.” The man replied as he rested his hand upon the hilt of his blade which was sheathed by his hip. In truth, the man standing beside Seraphina looked like he could have been her brother. The complexion was the same, and the raven hair color matched just fine. ”Yeah yeah, blame it on Riyku.” Seraphina rolled her eyes and moved to kiss Riyku on the lips. ”My reward.” She licked her lips after a deep passionate kiss.
”Ugh.” The man would roll his eyes. ”Call me if you need anything. Actually! Don't. I would like to rest for a bit since I have not slept in days.” With that, the man would turn into some kind of mist and seep into Riyku's body. A soft yawn would part Seraphina's lips, ”As am I. I think I'll get some sleep as well. You can call me anytime though, unlike a certain lazy demon.” Seraphina would remark before looking at Iris with a smile. ”Take good care of your Father now, okay.” Seraphina would smile softly at Iris who nodded. ”I will! Sleep well, Seraphina. Make sure Skeith doesn't do anything stupid.” Iris would reply and Seraphina would nod before turning into black mist and seeping into Riyku's body. This just left Riyku and Iris who were looking at one another after Riyku pocketed the two stones. ”Alright, let's hand home. I'll cook you up something to eat and we'll get some rest ourselves.” Riyku stated and Iris seemed quite happy about all of that if anything it was more so that she was just happy to be around her Father once again. Well that was what one could take from her expression.